Davis Thayer renovation plan presented in Franklin

An architectural firm has produced a plan to renovate the Davis Thayer Elementary School that in part calls for building an addition and creating more space within halls and classrooms.

By Matt Tota/Daily News staff

Milford Daily News

By Matt Tota/Daily News staff

Posted Aug. 20, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Aug 20, 2013 at 8:04 PM

By Matt Tota/Daily News staff

Posted Aug. 20, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Aug 20, 2013 at 8:04 PM

FRANKLIN

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An architectural firm has produced a plan to renovate the Davis Thayer Elementary School that in part calls for building an addition and creating more space within halls and classrooms.

Kaestle Boos Associates Inc. architect Joe Milani, speaking at a School Building Committee meeting Monday night, estimated that the renovation would cost about $23 million, while he placed the price of building a new school at $28 million.

With the latter option, the town could apply to receive funding from the Massachusetts School Building Authority, as it did for the new high school, but the process would take several years.

Davis Thayer was built in 1924 and underwent an extensive renovation during the 1970s. Milani described the building as "sound."

"It has good bones," he said.

However, most of the school’s bathrooms, corridors, stairs and doorways are not handicap-accessible, and inside, there are numerous mechanical and plumbing problems.

Milani said that just bringing the school into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act would cost $4.6 million. The committee mostly agreed that it would not be worth the money. One member described the option as an "expensive Band-Aid."

Space is a problem at the school; it requires two portable classrooms to accommodate its more than 300 students. But school officials say that, overall, district enrollment is trending upward.

"One of the things that I think presents a problem is enrollment is fluctuating," said Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski. "We are actually starting to see a trend because of the new high school. Since July 1, we are plus another 180 kids. We are starting to see the bump, because families are moving here."

The committee chose not to make a recommendation — its Chairman Thomas Mercer pointed out after the meeting that, at present, all three options make little sense — and will wait for the School Committee and Town Council to review the Kaestle Boos study.

"I think ultimately they have to absorb this," Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said.